Chapter XXVI.

The answer that the weak does not always allow himself
to be borne.

Joseph: I did not say that the
virtue and endurance of one who is strong and robust would be overcome,
but that the miserable condition of the weak, encouraged by the
tolerance of the perfect, and daily growing worse, is sure to give rise
to reasons on account of which he himself ought no longer to be borne;
or else with a shrewd suspicion that the patience of his neighbour
shows up and sets off his own impatience at some time or other he
chooses to make off rather than always to be borne by the magnanimity
of the other. This then we think should be above all else observed by
those who want to keep the affec459tion of their companions unimpaired;
viz., that first of all when provoked by any wrongs, a monk should keep
not only his lips but even the depth of his breast unmoved: but if he
finds that they are even slightly disturbed, let him keep himself in by
entire silence, and diligently observe what the Psalmist speaks of:
“I was troubled and spake nothing;” and: “I said I
will take heed to thy ways that I offend not with my tongue. I have set
a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me. I was dumb and
was humbled, and kept silence from good things;”20032003Ps.
lxxvi. (lxxvii.) 5; xxxviii. (xxxix.) 2, 3. and he should not pay any heed to his
present state, nor give vent to what his violent rage suggests and his
exasperated mind expresses at the moment, but should dwell on the grace
of past love or look forward in his mind to the renewal and restoration
of peace, and contemplate it even in the very hour of rage, as if it
were sure presently to return. And while he is reserving himself for
the delight of harmony soon to come, he will not feel the bitterness of
the present quarrel and will easily make such answers that, when love
is restored, he will not be able to accuse himself as guilty or be
blamed by the other; and thus he will fulfil these words of the
prophet: “In wrath remember mercy.”20042004Hab. iii. 2.